At Watershed Ventures, an early‑stage venture capital firm that invests in entrepreneurs building healthy living, productivity and purpose, and sustainable systems, I worked across the full investment lifecycle. By the end of the summer I helped advance and close one investment and shepherd another to an investment‑committee vote. My responsibilities included sourcing deals, conducting analytical due diligence, supporting portfolio founders, and advancing internal strategic initiatives. I also managed a team of four undergraduate interns and contributed to longer‑term projects that informed fund strategy. All of this supported Watershed’s mission of closing persistent access gaps and building a more inclusive model for venture capital.

Columbia’s MBA curriculum equipped me to contribute on several fronts. Capital Markets and Financial Statement Analysis sharpened my ability to assess start‑up metrics, financial models, and underwriting analyses. Courses in business analytics and analytics advantage offered frameworks for using data and artificial intelligence to inform investment decisions. Foundations of Venture Capital, VC Seminar, and Building a VC Investment Thesis prepared me to conduct due diligence and present findings to the investment committee. Foundations of Entrepreneurship helped me evaluate founder‑market fit and early go‑to‑market strategies. Healthcare electives such as Digital Health Start‑ups and Investing in Medical Technologies were invaluable when assessing portfolio companies in those sectors. This combination of finance, analytics, and domain knowledge allowed me to bridge theory and practice.

The most significant challenge was balancing a wide array of responsibilities. In any given week I might source new deals, underwrite a company, speak with customers, coordinate with co‑investors and limited partners, and develop internal processes from scratch. Working at a young fund with few established playbooks required discipline, creativity, and the ability to design frameworks on the fly. Delivering analyses under tight timelines tested my ability to balance rigor with speed.

This internship provided a holistic view of mission‑driven venture capital. I learned that building a successful fund depends not only on financial analysis but also on relationships—with founders, investors, and teammates—and on strong internal processes. The experience deepened my interest in venture capital, sharpened my analytical and leadership skills, and reinforced my aspiration to build a career investing in entrepreneurs who align social and economic incentives.